With concern over emissions from coal-fired power plants a mainstay in environmental discussions, the possibility for stricter emission standards is never far from the minds of plant operators.

Which is why the coal industry continues to explore options for dealing with carbon dioxide (CO2) in a manner that will reduce environmental impacts and satisfy regulators.

In 2009, the West Coast Regional Carbon Sequestration Partnership (WESTCARB), based in Oakland, Calif., conducted testing in the Holbrook area, expanding research in the field of capturing and storing carbon dioxide in wells drilled in secure geologic formations.

WESTCARB is a collaborative research project formed in 2003 to study how to keep CO2 out of the atmosphere. The partnership includes scientists and engineers from more than 90 public agencies, private companies and nonprofit organizations. It is co-funded by the U.S. Department of Energy and the California Energy Commission, which manages the program.

Based on extensive mapping and research available on wells and geologic formations in the Colorado Plateau of northeastern Arizona, WESTCARB participants believe there are suitable geologic conditions in the region for safe long-term CO2 storage.

The partnership’s pilot project in Arizona was located near Cholla Power Plant, operated by Arizona Public Service Co. (APS), outside of Joseph City.

WESTCARB drilled a well in an area with desirable geologic formations, but found insufficient permeability in the rock formation, which nullified plans for carbon capture at that location.

Still, WESTCARB has not abandoned the idea of capturing CO2 emissions in northeastern Arizona.

“Although our Cholla well did not find sufficient permeability in the target geologic formation to support a potential future commercial CO2 storage project at that location, we believe that result was a local anomaly. Drilling additional deep wells in northeast Arizona would provide communities and businesses with a clearer regional picture of the CO2 storage capability of deep sandstone and carbonate strata overlain by sealing caprocks (a prevalent geologic structure),” said Rich Myhre, outreach coordinator for WESTCARB.

Myhre said WESTCARB is considering alternate well sites to the north and east of Holbrook. Specific well sites have not yet been determined, with Myhre explaining there is ongoing geologic screening by Errol L. Montgomery & Associates, an Arizona geologic/hydrologic consulting firm. Other determinants for well location include the level of funding by DOE and WESTCARB’s industry partners, along with the interest of the site landowner and neighboring communities.

Myhre explained that nature has been storing CO2 and other substances like oil and natural gas in underground geologic formations for millions of years. Now, these formations are being explored for storage from industrial sources.

WESTCARB sees the saline formations, layers of porous rock that are filled with saltwater, as the largest CO2 storage opportunity nationally and in the West Coast region. Three major CO2 injections into saline formations for storage are ongoing in Norway and Algeria, and results from these projects show that saline formations can serve as reliable, long-term CO2 storage sites. Through projects in seven western states (including Arizona) and British Colombia, WESTCARB is determining whether the same storage results can be achieved in the western region, and whether they can be managed cost-effectively for industry.

“The value to the community of knowing whether the area could support commercial CO2 storage projects remains as important as ever,” said Myhre. “In the event that power plant CO2 emissions were to be regulated in the future, knowledge of the viability and cost of deep saline formation storage beneath the Colorado Plateau would help power plant owners and the communities of the area make informed compliance decisions in a manner that maximized economic benefit and preserved cherished ways of life.”

Myhre could not say if or when other well sites would be drilled in northeastern Arizona, but did note that there is still great interest on the part of WESTCARB and its industry partners, including Salt River Project (SRP) and Tucson Electric Power, in moving forward. He said APS is less interested in participating in the next project phase because WESTCARB is not considering additional wells near Cholla Power Plant at this time.

Adopt-A-Pet

Monkey is short for Chunky Monkey. She is the largest of the litter and is also the most adventurous. She is the leader of the pack.

Minnie, jpg

Minnie is so named because she is a Mini Me of her mama, as she looks and acts just like Maya.

Mel

Mel is the mellow guy of the group. He plays well with others, but doesn’t mind hanging out by himself when the rest of the group gets a little too rambunctious.

Freckles

Freckles is also female. She is spunky, loves to play and already knows how to ask for a belly scratch.

Cuddles

Cuddles is a female, and likes to snuggle right up to you any way that she can.

Batman

Batman, aka Bruce Wayne, is a male Mini Pin-mix about 1 year old. He’s a sweet fellow, and is good with other dogs. He is kenneled with Robin, but they didn’t come in together, they just like to play, er fight crime, together.

Gatsby

Gatsby is about 6 weeks old. He is a sweet little kitten, and will be available soon.

Evangeline

Evangeline is a sweet young momma kitty in need of a home. She’s very friendly and cuddly.

Frankie, of Frankie and Mazzy, is a 2-year-old male cat who is neutered and up to date on shots. Frankie is very timid at first, and then is extremely loving and affectionate. He likes to be right in the middle of family life, and is indoor only.
Mazzy, a petite tortoise shell female cat, is still available, but she cannot go anywhere without Frankie. She will likely be adopted by her foster family if no one is able to take them both. If you are interested, please contact the shelter at 524-6268.

Ruth

Ruth is a gorgeous mama to be in need of foster care or adoption. She has a white patch under her chin and has had a rough life based on the scars on her head. She’s a little scared, but a sweet kitty.
Ruth has a twin sister named Hershey. She looks just like Ruth, but without the white patch. Hershey is very friendly, but wiggly, so she hasn’t had her photo taken yet.

Reese

Reese is a female tabby, and is about 1 year old. A little on the wild side, she'd be a perfect barn cat. Let your rancher/farmer friends know about her, please.

Zorro

Watson

Simba

Littermates

Shenzi

Littermates

Rafiki

Littermates

Mufasa

Littermates

Cinnamon

Littermates

Butterscotch

Littermates

Banzai

Littermates

Maya

Maya
Maya is a female Rottie mix. She’s very small, about half the size of a regular Rottweiler, and she’s a new mom. She and her babies are in foster care. They will likely be available in August.

Emmett

Emmett, a German Shepherd mix about 3 to 4 months old, is an adorable little dude and he’s very playful. He’s also good with kids and other dogs.
Emmett is in a foster home right now, so if you are interested in meeting him, please set up an appointment by calling the shelter at 524-6828.

Blackjack and Domino2

Domino and Blackjack
Domino and Blackjack are a matched set of Bull Terrier/Lab mixes. The male is the darker one, and the female is white with cute patches on her eyes. Both have a sweet disposition, and they stand up on their hind legs when it’s feeding time! They love each other, so they can’t be separated. When they were, Blackjack cried and cried, so it’s best to adopt them together. You can take $10 off each adoption fee if you take them both, making it $125 for the pair.

Chompers

Chompers is a male Red Heeler mix. He’s very sweet and friendly. This guy will steal your heart, and probably your bacon.